Characters of Tragedy & Redemption  (Writing 009)

This episode looks at two different kinds of protagonists: the fallen and the redeemed. Each can evoke strong emotions in the reader and speak to the human condition. Properly handled, tragedies and redemption stories become very powerful character-driven pieces.  -- Tom

Writing Historical Fiction -- Part 2  (Writing 008)

In this episode, we continue our discussion on how to write Historical Fiction. This show is broken down into three parts and we analyze the works of James Michener, Umberto Eco and Anne Rice.  -- Tom  (Show Notes)

Writing Historical Fiction  (Writing 007)

 

Whether you're writing Historical Fiction or utilizing history within your fiction, there are a handful of things you need to consider. This episode focuses on much of the theory, and we take a look at what writers of Historical Fiction have said about the genre. In the next episode, Writing 008, we will analyze what some of the more successful historical novels have done and experiment with some original passages. – Tom

Listener Letters -- emphasis on how to approach writing a novel  (Writing 006)

It's time to respond to some of your questions and comments. All the same, I can't help myself: I address one or two of them so heavily that I hijack my own show and give it a bona-fide theme. Among other things, I talk about how I approach writing my novel -- and while it's not my intention to say, "Hey, do it MY way," the discussion might somehow be helpful. – Tom

Thoughts about Setting  (Writing 005)

 

This time out, I talk about how setting can establish tone, bolster theme and give psychological dimension of your story. – Tom  (Show Notes)

The Shadow in the Hero  (Writing 004)

Ahh, yes. This is one of my favorite discussions when talking about writing. It goes well beyond the mundane. It goes deep into character and conflict analysis into the psychological and archetypal. Without this useful dramatic device, your story can easily fall limp. You really need to check this one out as we will come back to the issue of the Shadow from time to time. – Tom  (Show Notes)

How to Write Dialogue  (Writing 003)

 

I talk about how to write dialogue in fiction, covering the basic rules and whether or not they should be broken. Finally, I touch upon the issue of writing meaningful dialogue and along the way recount a funny story from my college days. Or maybe I'm just has a cruel sense of humor. You decide. – Tom  (Show Notes)

How to Open Your Story: Part Two  (Writing 002b)

IThis is Part Two of a show that discusses the various ways you can open a story. Part One addressed opening a story with Narrative Description. Here in Part Two, I address opening a story with Action and Dialogue, respectively. It's an in-depth examination of the Do's and Don'ts, with a heck of a lot of analysis. Check it out. – Tom  (Show Notes)

How to Open Your Story: Part One  (Writing 002a)

 

If you have ever struggled with how to open your story, this show will help, as it looks at a few possible approaches. Even if you don't have an issue with this, the discussion and sample passage that I write and analyze is fodder for thought. This episode is Part One. There will be at least two parts -- possibly three. – Tom  (Show Notes)

Introduction to the Show and Preview  (Writing 001)

 

Spend some time with me in this, our first show. I talk about the nature of the podcast and the coming anthology of short stories that I am editing and writing with five other great writers.  – Tom